Thursday's weather: Red alert for heavy rain sweeping through 7 regions

The National Center for Meteorology issued an urgent report warning of severe weather fluctuations expected in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The report included a red alert for heavy rains that will affect large parts of seven major regions in the country. The center explained that this exceptional weather condition will be accompanied by severe weather phenomena, including extremely high-speed downdrafts, near-zero horizontal visibility, heavy hail, flash floods, and violent thunderstorms, requiring the utmost caution.

Rainfall distribution map and governorates affected by weather fluctuations

The red alert map identified by the National Center for Meteorology includes the following regions and governorates:

• Eastern Province: Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya.
• Riyadh region: Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma’ah, Shaqra, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quway’iyah, and Afif.
• Makkah Al-Mukarramah: Al-Khurmah, Al-Muwayh, Turbah, and Ranyah.
• Al-Qassim region: Aban, Al-Khabra, Ar-Rass, Al-Fawarah, An-Nabhania, Riyadh Al-Khabra, Dhariyah, Uqlat As-Suqur, Al-Asyah, Al-Badai, Al-Bukayriyah, At-Thamiriya, Ash-Shamasiyah, Al-Ammar, Al-Mudhnib, Buraydah, Unayzah, and Uyun Al-Jawa.
• Hail region: Al-Hait, Al-Sulaimi, Al-Shamli, Al-Ghazala, Hail, Muwaqq, Al-Shanan, Baqaa, and Samira.
• Tabuk region: Tayma.
• Northern borders: Al-Uwaiqilah and Rafha.

Climate change and rainfall patterns in the Arabian Peninsula

This wave of weather fluctuations comes within the context of broader climate changes that the Arabian Peninsula has witnessed in recent years. Historically, Saudi Arabia has been known for its arid desert climate, but the last decade has seen a significant shift in rainfall patterns and geographical distribution. Weather experts believe that the increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as severe thunderstorms and flash floods, is linked to global warming and changes in the movement of moist tropical air masses. This shift has prompted government agencies, most notably the National Center for Meteorology, to develop an early warning system and utilize modern technologies to monitor weather fluctuations with high accuracy in order to mitigate potential risks.

The implications of issuing a red alert for heavy rain on public safety

The importance of these weather warnings extends far beyond mere weather forecasting, impacting various aspects of daily life both locally and regionally. Locally, a red alert for heavy rainfall a full mobilization of the General Directorate of Civil Defense and municipal and service agencies to secure flood channels and clean stormwater drainage networks. These situations also directly affect the education sector, often leading to the suspension of in-person classes and a shift to remote learning to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Regionally, these proactive measures reflect the Kingdom's commitment to international safety standards and disaster risk reduction, enhancing the resilience of national infrastructure in the face of contemporary environmental challenges. The Civil Defense urges everyone to stay away from valleys and flood channels and to adhere to official instructions.